President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints visited Latter-day Saints and others in Latin America from August 24, 2019, to September 2, 2019. He and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles ministered in Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina and Brazil.
A summary of their visits is below.
Historical information: See lists of previous visits to these countries made by President Nelson and past Church presidents.
Downloadable video: B-roll | SOTs | English transcription of SOTs
President Nelson met with members and dignitaries in Guatemala as he embarked Saturday on his nine-day ministry in Latin America. The first stop on his five-country ministry was Guatemala City, the country’s capital, known for its ancient Mayan history and nearby volcanos. He spoke to Latter-day Saints at an evening devotional for 15 minutes in Spanish.
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Downloadable video: B-roll | SOTs | English transcription of SOTs
President Nelson taught tens of thousands of Latter-day Saints gathered in Bogotá, Colombia, August 25, 2019, that heaven’s greatest blessings are possible thanks to Jesus Christ.
Downloadable video: B-roll | SOTs | English transcription of SOTs
President Nelson told Latter-day Saints gathered at General Rumiñahui Coliseum in Quito, a meeting that was broadcast to all Church congregations in Ecuador, that each of them is responsible for developing faith in God. No one can do this for another person, he said.
Downloadable video: B-roll | SOTs | English transcription of SOTs
President Nelson taught thousands of Church members and invited guests how to obtain a peace so profound it can keep them calm in the face of certain death. Elder Cook, Sister Nelson and Sister Cook also spoke of placing ultimate things first in life.
Earlier in the day, the group visited a humanitarian organization that provides wheelchairs to those in need.
Downloadable video: B-roll | SOTs
“There are exciting things ahead,” said President Nelson as he wrapped up his Latin America ministry in Brazil, the largest country in both South America and Latin America. “This work is moving forward at an accelerated pace. I can just hardly wait to bounce out of bed each morning and see what the day will bring.”
President Nelson is the fifth Church president to visit Brazil. He has been to the South American country as a senior Church leader 24 times, including this most recent visit. In May 2008, he was in the country with President Thomas S. Monson for the dedication of the Curitiba Brazil Temple. Other Church presidents to visit Brazil include President David O. McKay, President Spencer W. Kimball and President Gordon B. Hinckley.
Downloadable video: B-roll | SOTs
More than 37,000 people, including many families, lined up for up to eight hours before a devotional with President Nelson at the Anhembi Convention Center. Many were seated five hours before the meeting began, filling the venue. This was the largest gathering President Nelson has spoken to outside of the U.S. “I’ve just come as a servant of the Lord,” said President Nelson, who spoke without a prepared talk. Instead, he brought his scriptures to offer advice to parents.
Following the devotional, President Nelson was interviewed by Brazil's Band TV news anchor Isabel Tacaki. Here is the complete interview.
At the conclusion of President Nelson’s Latin America ministry in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Church Newsroom interviewed him and Elder Cook about a variety of topics. The conversation touched on their ministry in Brazil, temples, a home-centered Church, President Nelson's health and his upcoming 95th Birthday on September 9, 2019.
Additional videos
What do divine laws and Scrabble have in common? President Nelson and his wife, Sister Nelson explained the similarities while on their Latin America tour.
The youth in Central and South America arrived in impressive numbers to hear the word of God during President Nelson‘s Latin America Ministry Tour.
In a Church News video, Sister Wendy Nelson and Sister Mary Cook share their observations of how they minister to Latter-day Saints they meet on their travels.